French bulldogs?

If you are wondering what is the right dog for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about tail wagging and learning.

In addition to breathing issues there are also spinal issues, patella issues and, strangely enough, hip dysplasia!! This breed is a "dwarf" breed so those skeletal issues can be a major problem. As Addy stated, make sure you only go with a pup from health tested adults!!!!
They are wonderful house dogs, but are extremely independent!!! Jethro lives in a house with other small dogs, poodles and Cresteds. While the poodles and cresteds always want to be near me and always are in the room I am in, Jethro usually spends his time off by himself.
Outdoors they pretty much always need a leash as this independence can take them off wandering. Even with good, free breathing, they are still a brachephilic breed and cannot deal with heat and/or too much activity. Humidity also affects their breathing and in warmer weather they do best left at home in the AC.
While most are great with kids, they must be constantly watched as children do not understand their breathing issues and can get them too wound up and overheated.
Same sex aggression can be an issue with Frenchies, especially with the females. They do best with a dog of the opposite sex, even when neutered.
Like most bulldog breeds, they can be extremely gassy!! They are also prone to the many skin issues that plague bully breeds, including mast cell tumors and histocytomas.
I LOVE my Frenchies, but I do understand their limitations and don't expect them to be able to keep up with the poodles and cresteds.
Sadly, they are not usually a long lived breed and 10 is considered old. I currently live with four Frenchies, and have shared my home with them for over thirty years now.

Our friends have one whom they absolutely adore. She is a sweetie, and has a great personality, but health issues just seem inevitable.
Theirs is white, and maybe that makes the skin issues worse. Since she was just a pup they've been fighting with allergies and skin issues. She also had to have at least one lump removed. She's doing much better since they switched vets and have her on a raw food diet. Make sure your friends find a vet that is knowledgeable about the breed. Coco is 4 now.
I know there are specific websites for Frenchie owners where you can find a lot more detailed information.

I live French bulldogs, but they can overheat easily so if u take them on a long walk make sure u have plenty of water for them to drink and to pot on them to cool down. U could freeze a water bottle to bring with u so it would still be cool.

Hi I am a Frenchie mum and adore the breed, but your right, so many people are now buying frenchies when they haven't a clue as to hot to look after them. I live in Queensland, so it's extremely humid and hot. I keep cooling coats on my babies everyday during the hot months which normally are a good 6-8 months here. I'm lucky as I work from home and spend 90% of my time with them. I think breeders have to be more cautious as to who buys their pups, as frenchies don't suit people who work long hours, they are people dogs and as much as they are independent they do love human company.
My 2 are scallywags and as much as I love all animals, and as much as I know how limiting frenchies can be being Brachycephalic I personally could never own anything else.

I've been blessed to work with several of them. One from a puppy mill breeder, the other a rescue. Both were absolute sweethearts! They each had their funny little habits, one liked to wear clothes and would bring you something every morning that she wanted to wear, and the rescue couldn't wait to go for her walk so she could roll in the grass.

I don't believe either of them had major health problems. The rescue did have to have her anal glands expelled regularly, but other than that there was never a problem.

Both were quite independent, stubborn, but unfailingly loyal to their owners and just the most friendly dogs you could hope to meet.